Movies Recommended By You + Better Days Flashcards

Before we dive into this week’s topic, I just wanted to share a new feature with you — after over a year of writing, I finally figured out how to add a comment section to my articles on the website (sandychengchinese.beehiiv.com) — I know, my newsletter game seriously needs an upgrade! So now, you can leave comments on any of the new or old posts — whether it’s feedback, questions, requests, or just something you want to share. Instead of replying to my emails, feel free to drop a comment right below the article — you can just click the comment button at the top of this email, and it should take you straight there. I’d love to hear from you!

A few weeks ago, I asked you to share your favorite Chinese language movies in the comments under one of my videos. In today’s newsletter, I’m excited to highlight some of your top picks! So, without further ado, here are the movies (and a few TV shows) that got the most mentions:

Nezha – 哪吒: This 2019 animated film was the most mentioned in your comments — and for good reason. Praised for its fresh take on a classic myth, it brings Chinese mythology to life in a way that’s fun, modern, and engaging for younger audiences. Its sequel hit Chinese theaters just a few months ago and has already broken records, becoming the highest-grossing Chinese film of all time.

Better Days – 少年的你: This is another film from 2019 (seems like 2019 was a good year for Chinese cinema!) that came up multiple times in your comments. The film follows a bullied high school girl and a troubled street boy whose lives become unexpectedly intertwined. Set against the intense pressure of China’s college entrance exams (高考), it dives into themes of youth, trauma, and resilience. With standout performances and a gripping story, it became a critical and box office hit, even earning a nomination for Best International Feature at the Oscars.

I really enjoyed Better Days when it came out in theaters, and if you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend giving it a go. I’ve also made some flashcards with key words and sentences from the movie, which you can use to get a head start. You can also head over to my Quizlet page to listen to the pronunciation and try out some interactive games to reinforce what you’ve learned!

Mountains May Depart – 山河故人: This 2015 movie is another fantastic recommendation from you, and definitely one of my favorites from Jia Zhangke (贾樟柯), one of China’s most critically acclaimed directors. It just goes to show that my audience has amazing taste when it comes to movies! It is a deeply moving film that explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. It spans multiple decades and three generations, weaving together personal stories against the backdrop of China’s rapid social and economic changes.

The Wandering Earth – 流浪地球: It’s a sci-fi film that took China’s box office by storm in 2019 (yes, 2019 again!). Set in the near future, Earth faces destruction as the sun begins to die. While it might not be as critically acclaimed as some of the other movies I’ve mentioned, many of you really seemed to enjoy it! In 2023, a sequel was released, and at least one more is already in the works.

Love Between Fairy and Devil – 苍兰诀: It is a popular Chinese fantasy drama series with 1 season and 36 episodes. The 2022 show blends romance, fantasy, and adventure, following the forbidden love story between a powerful demon lord and a fairy in a magical world. It is the tv show that has received the most mentions by you!

iPartment – 爱情公寓: It is a Chinese TV sitcom released in 2009, with a total of 5 seasons and 124 episodes. It focuses on the lives, love, and friendships of a group of young adults living together in an apartment.

The above mentioned films and TV shows have received the most mentions by you, but I wanted to highlight a few others from your recommendations, as I either loved them too, or I know that they are considered to be amongst the best of what Chinese language cinema has to offer. In the end, I’ll share a list of all of your recommendations, I’m sorry if I missed any! (Disclaimer: I’ve focused on including films and TV shows where the main language is Mandarin, so if the primary language was Cantonese, I left it out. So while In The Mood for Love (花样年华) is a great movie, its original language is Cantonese, so you won’t find it here.)

Us and Them – 后来的我们 (2018): It’s one of my favorite romantic dramas, and I wrote about it here.

An Elephant Sitting Still – 大象席地而坐 (2018): One of my absolute favorite Chinese movies, and it can never get enough love. Read more about it here.

Our Times – 我的少女时代 (2015): A nostalgic Taiwanese romance film that became a massive hit, exploring the story of a young woman reflecting on her teenage years and first love.

You Are The Apple of My Eye – 那些年，我们一起追的女孩 (2011): A Taiwanese coming-of-age film about a group of high school friends and their unspoken love for the class beauty.

Long Day’s Journey Into Night – 地球最后的夜晚 (2018): This is more of an arthouse film that I've heard great things about, but I haven't had the chance to watch it yet.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – 卧虎藏龙 (2000): An internationally acclaimed martial arts epic by Ang Lee that combines breathtaking fight choreography with a tale of love, betrayal, and honor.

Hero – 英雄 (2002): Another excellent martial arts film set in ancient China, where a nameless warrior is tasked with assassinating the King.

Here’s the rest of the list in no particular order! I hope you discover some new favorites, and thank you for sharing your recommendations with me!

Movies: Kung Fu Yoga – 功夫瑜伽, Deep Sea – 深海, Lost On Journey – 人在囧途, Let the Bullets Fly – 让子弹飞, Cry Me A Sad River – 悲伤逆流成河, Wish Dragon – 许愿神龙, The Yangtze River – 再会长江, B for Busy – 爱情神话, Curse of the Golden Flower – 满城尽带黄金甲, Eat Drink Man Woman – 饮食男女, Farewell My Concubine – 霸王别姬, Born to Fly – 长空之王, The Lin Family Shop – 林家铺子, Suzhou River – 苏州河, Chongqing Hot Pot - 火锅英雄

TV shows: Smile Code – 失笑, Blossom – 九重紫, The Best Thing – 爱你, Fireworks of My Heart – 我的人间烟火, When I Fly Towards You – 当我飞奔向你, Secret of the Three Kingdoms – 三国机密, The First Frost – 难哄, Till the End of the Moon – 长月烬明, Love Is Sweet – 半是蜜糖半是伤, Meteor Garden – 流星花园, Put Your Head On My Shoulder – 致我们暖暖的小时光, A Journey to Love – 一念关山

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